Eskandarian will serve under former New York MetroStars standout Giovanni Savarese, who was named manager of the North American Soccer League expansion side in late November.

Not only is Eskandarian generally a respected figure in national soccer circles, he has family history with the Cosmos, an organization once peerless in its rule over domestic soccer. As the New York Post put it this morning in its report on the hire: “The Cosmos have long been in Eskandarian’s DNA. His father Andranik Eskandarian was a defender for the original Cosmos from 1978 to 1984, and Alecko was a regular fixture at Cosmos practices as a kid.”

But he had more than history. Eskandarian played professionally for DC United, the LA Galaxy, Toronto FC, Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA. His best days came with D.C. United, where he won the 2004 MLS Cup while being named the game’s MVP.

That side, coached by Peter Nowak, also included a young Freddy Adu.

Concussion-related symptoms forced Eskandarian to retire in 2010 at age 28.